Back at the Mansion... Beta Gilbert descended the staircase toward the living room, coming from his private quarters. As he entered the space, he noticed Bernard and Victoria deep in conversation. From a distance, their expressions hinted at seriousness.
Bernard spotted him first and immediately greeted him.
"Good morning, Dad," Bernard said. "We were just talking about the possible outcomes when we take Elijah Simons to the council of elders."
"Oh?" Beta Gilbert asked, settling into a chair across from them. "What scenarios were you discussing?"
"We were wondering... what if Elijah has loyalists among the elders? What if they try to rescue him using some unknown law?" Bernard posed the question cautiously.
Beta Gilbert burst into laughter, his sudden outburst catching Bernard and Victoria off guard.
noveldrama "Honey, why are you laughing like that?" Victoria asked, visibly puzzled and a little anxious.
"I’m laughing," he said proudly, "because clearly, you both forget who I am. I’m the master planner. You’ll be shocked once you see what I’ve already set in motion."
Bernard leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "So what did you do without telling us?"
Beta Gilbert smirked. "Come with me to the dungeon, and you’ll see for yourself. Elijah Simons—and all of you—are in for a surprise."
But before they could stand, the sound of footsteps caught everyone’s attention. They turned toward the entrance just as Maria walked into the living room—alone.
Victoria gasped. "Maria? Are my eyes deceiving me?"
Bernard and Beta Gilbert rushed to her side, helping her toward the couch.
"Thank you, but I’m okay," Maria said, offering a half-smile. "It’s not as bad as it seems."
"We’ve been so worried," Victoria said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Are you sure you’re alright?"
Maria could tell her concern was a show. The two of them had never really gotten along, and she knew Victoria well enough not to trust her sudden warmth. So, she just smiled and nodded.
Bernard, still concerned, asked, "What happened to you? How’s the wound healing? You were shot, Maria—we can’t just ignore that."
Maria took a breath and began to recount the story Mrs. Spencer had helped her craft.
"I don’t remember much," she said slowly. "I woke up in a room with people wearing masks. They treated me with something strange that made me heal really fast. When I tried to talk to them, they wouldn’t answer me. Last night, I got aggressive, hoping to pull off a mask, but they injected me with something. I woke up this morning two streets from here."
It was a believable story, one she’d rehearsed in her mind. She could see the suspicion in their eyes fading.
"So... no one spoke to you at all while you were there?" Beta Gilbert asked, brows furrowed.
Maria shook her head. "That’s why I got angry—I wanted to know who they were. I remember six people—two women and four men. They were the ones treating me."
Her explanation seemed to convince them. Still, she could tell something was troubling them—something unspoken. So she asked a question of her own.
"How did that night end? Were you able to catch Elijah Simons?"
"You really don’t know what happened?" Victoria asked with a soft smile.
"I don’t," Maria replied with an innocent look.
Beta Gilbert finally answered, "Elijah was captured. He fell for the trap we laid. We thought we’d lost when our men were ambushed, but now that you’re back, we can truly celebrate our victory."
Maria didn’t join in the smile. Her face remained unreadable as she asked, "So where is he now? Or has he already been eliminated?"
Beta Gilbert’s smile vanished, replaced by a stern look.
"He’s in the dungeon. And he will face justice—if you follow the instructions I give you."
Maria’s voice turned sharp, filled with burning resolve. "For the person who murdered my parents... I’ll do anything to make sure he gets the punishment he deserves."
Her words echoed through the room, laced with rage and determination...